Like I said before it can be used for future business transactions to Latin American countries. Better have a headstart. I'd rather have this as an elective rather than those biblical studies.

English can self taught due to different available mediums. We study this from pre-school to college so there is no one to blame but the student himself for his lack of compression and the likes.

This is the reason why we should focus on improving our English, instead of promoting another language. Self-taught? If i read a Physics book over and over can i be a physicist? If everything can be self-taught then lets just abolish all of the schools and universities in the Philippines.

Like I said before it can be used for future business transactions to Latin American countries. Better have a headstart. I'd rather have this as an elective rather than those biblical studies.

English can self taught due to different available mediums. We study this from pre-school to college so there is no one to blame but the student himself for his lack of compression and the likes.

there is no such thing as language can be self taught. you did not learn to read and write on your own - you needed to be taught how to read the alphabet, read and understand meanings of words and finally compose a sentence. that is just the basic, but even on that you needed to be taught these things.

if english is that easy to learn that it can be self-taught, why then are filipinos, INCLUDING teachers very bad at it?

from an article, previous post:

Russ Sandlin, an American businessman in the Philippines, recently closed his call center in Manila because he said he could not find enough English proficient workers. “Not even 3 percent of the students who graduate college here are employable in call centers,” he complained.

----

Adding to this, the Department of Education reported that 80 percent of secondary school teachers in the Philippines failed in an English proficiency test in 2007.

So where is the veracity of those claims that the Philippines have a substantial pool of English-proficient workers?

A friend who works in the HR department for one of the Manila offices of Canadian telecom, Telus, said that they interview an average of 50 people a day and only manage to hire two or three applicants.

It is not only the minorities, the poor, the Spanish-speaking young who are having trouble; the same pattern is evident among the white middle class.

Examples can be found across the nation:

> Last year the Association of American Publishers' guide to reading textbooks, a guide intended for college freshmen, had to be rewritten for a ninth-grade reading level.

> The City University of New York spent $15 million last year on remedial English courses. Many of the students enrolling under an open-admissions policy are reading below the ninth-grade level.

> In 1957, the average verbal score on the national Scholastic Aptitude Tests was 473 (on a scale from 200 to 800). In 1973, the average was down 33 points, to 440.

> More than one-third of the students who want to become journalism majors in their junior year at the University of Wisconsin did not meet minimum admissions standards in grammar, spelling, punctuation and word usage. At the University of North Carolina's journalism school, 39% of the students flunked the basic spelling test.http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...913427,00.html

Filipinos poor in own language — PASATAF
"It was revealed during the annual Pambansang Kapulungan sa Filipino held in Teacher’s Camp here on May 4-7 that Filipino literacy is low especially among students due to reasons ranging from system to politics. "http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=3914

Poor English - a Threat to the Philippine Call Centers?

DESPITE the Philippines is considered as one of the third largest English speaking countries in Asia yet the report released by the US State Department, in its “2007 Investment Climate Statement” this month cited that the “English language proficiency, while still better than in other Southeast Asian nations, is declining in the Philippines.”

I learned that various sectors put the pressure to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on how she will address the report. She kept on saying that English should use as primary medium of instruction in all schools nationwide.

These call center leaders blamed the soap operas dubbed in Pilipino, and too much focusing on cell phone text messaging. The education sector blamed the influence of pop culture and the domestic media, where the dominant language is Taglish, a combination of Tagalog and English.

Ok, Now we have Americans who cannot speak proper English. Filipinos who are having difficulties in both Filipino and English.
A President that is promoting the usage of English and Spanish.
A Government department developing the usage of Filipino.
Local businesses supporting the usage of English.
Local media's usage of Taglish contributes to the deterioration of English proficiency.

CEBU — Spain aims to improve economic, development and cultural cooperation with the Philippines, a Spanish colony for over three centuries, as it sets its sights again on Asia.

"The Philippines is a country that has always been a priority [of Spain] in cooperation. It is a good platform for us in a continent that holds half of the global population. We probably entered the market late, but this Tribuna [event] offers unique opportunities for Spain and the Philippines to improve bilateral relations," said Gustavo Suarez Pertierra, head of the 24-member Spanish delegation that is visiting Cebu for the 4th Tribuna España Filipinas that opened on Wednesday afternoon.

The Tribuna, which was organized by Casa Asia, gathers together civil society members of Spain and the Philippines in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of business, tourism, culture and the arts.

Casa Asia is a public consortium that was formed to implement Spain’s policy to reinforce its presence in Asia and the Pacific.

Philippine Ambassador to Spain Antonio M. Lagdameo said representatives of several Spanish financial institutions have expressed interest in financing more development projects in the Philippines.

"They feel they have not done enough [for the Philippines]. They feel they can assist us, considering the lengthy relations we’ve have. Inspite of the crisis, there are still sources of development financing for us because the big financial institutions in Spain are not affected," Mr. Lagdameo explained.

He added that they still have to identify the priority sectors that could benefit from development cooperation.

Groundwork

Franklin M. Ebdalin, acting Foreign Affairs secretary, said the Philippine government had laid the groundwork to strengthen trade relations with Spain by reopening in 2006 the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Madrid. The center has been receiving inquiries on business and investment opportunities in the Philippines, he added.

Total trade between the Philippines and Spain grew by average 10% for the last five years, but Mr. Lagdameo said this could still increase.

Filipino speakers during the forum encouraged the Spanish delegation to invest in biofuels manufacturing and infrastructure projects in the country.

Rolando T. Dy, executive director for the Center for Food and Agribusiness, as well as Sebastian R. Lacson, vice-president for administration of the Visayan Electric Co., Inc., noted the growing demand for biofuels as the Philippines implements Republic Act No. 9367, or the Biofuels Act of 2006.

Isidro Consunji, president of DMCI Holdings, Inc., cited opportunities in infrastructure as the government pushes closer public-private sector partnerships in implementing projects.

"We had a partnership with Spain for the Northrail project but that didn’t work out. We need government support for such projects. Now that we have it, there are a lot of opportunities in the infrastructure sector," Mr. Consunji said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ebdalin said promoting the teaching and learning of the Spanish language in schools nationwide has deepened cultural cooperation between the two countries.

"Spanish [language] is a part of Filipino heritage. Learning this will also give Filipinos competitive advantage because some 400 million people worldwide speak Spanish," Mr. Ebdalin said.

President Gloria M. Arroyo issued Memorandum Orer 276 in November last year, directing the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority to promote the teaching of Spanish.

CEBU — Spain aims to improve economic, development and cultural cooperation with the Philippines, a Spanish colony for over three centuries, as it sets its sights again on Asia.

"The Philippines is a country that has always been a priority [of Spain] in cooperation. It is a good platform for us in a continent that holds half of the global population. We probably entered the market late, but this Tribuna [event] offers unique opportunities for Spain and the Philippines to improve bilateral relations," said Gustavo Suarez Pertierra, head of the 24-member Spanish delegation that is visiting Cebu for the 4th Tribuna España Filipinas that opened on Wednesday afternoon.

The Tribuna, which was organized by Casa Asia, gathers together civil society members of Spain and the Philippines in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of business, tourism, culture and the arts.

Casa Asia is a public consortium that was formed to implement Spain’s policy to reinforce its presence in Asia and the Pacific.

Philippine Ambassador to Spain Antonio M. Lagdameo said representatives of several Spanish financial institutions have expressed interest in financing more development projects in the Philippines.

"They feel they have not done enough [for the Philippines]. They feel they can assist us, considering the lengthy relations we’ve have. Inspite of the crisis, there are still sources of development financing for us because the big financial institutions in Spain are not affected," Mr. Lagdameo explained.

He added that they still have to identify the priority sectors that could benefit from development cooperation.

Groundwork

Franklin M. Ebdalin, acting Foreign Affairs secretary, said the Philippine government had laid the groundwork to strengthen trade relations with Spain by reopening in 2006 the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Madrid. The center has been receiving inquiries on business and investment opportunities in the Philippines, he added.

Total trade between the Philippines and Spain grew by average 10% for the last five years, but Mr. Lagdameo said this could still increase.

Filipino speakers during the forum encouraged the Spanish delegation to invest in biofuels manufacturing and infrastructure projects in the country.

Rolando T. Dy, executive director for the Center for Food and Agribusiness, as well as Sebastian R. Lacson, vice-president for administration of the Visayan Electric Co., Inc., noted the growing demand for biofuels as the Philippines implements Republic Act No. 9367, or the Biofuels Act of 2006.

Isidro Consunji, president of DMCI Holdings, Inc., cited opportunities in infrastructure as the government pushes closer public-private sector partnerships in implementing projects.

"We had a partnership with Spain for the Northrail project but that didn’t work out. We need government support for such projects. Now that we have it, there are a lot of opportunities in the infrastructure sector," Mr. Consunji said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ebdalin said promoting the teaching and learning of the Spanish language in schools nationwide has deepened cultural cooperation between the two countries.

"Spanish [language] is a part of Filipino heritage. Learning this will also give Filipinos competitive advantage because some 400 million people worldwide speak Spanish," Mr. Ebdalin said.

President Gloria M. Arroyo issued Memorandum Orer 276 in November last year, directing the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority to promote the teaching of Spanish.

the above does not change or address the argument that this country needs to be better in english than any other foreign language. english is the second most widely spoken and written language in this country and it is a language that business/industry, educators, including the department of education admit filipinos have become inadequate in.

are we now supposed to promote the language of every country who gives us aid?

one more thing, i bet when they talked about spain's intent to give the country aid and engage in trade, they used english to communicate with each other. mentioned that to drive home the point that english is more important than spanish in our country.

Ok. Since this is a partnership, are they going to learn Tagalog as well?

Or we're the one to adjust and follow them like a dog?

We already adjusted and followed America like a dog already. No need to change that fact. Actually the Spanish forced us to follow them like a dog (for 300 years). But now we are following America like a dog on our own free will.

Originally Posted by sargo

the above does not change or address the argument that this country needs to be better in english than any other foreign language……..they used english to communicate with each other. mentioned that to drive home the point that english is more important than spanish in our country.

We are not the only country having trouble with English.

The facts are the President and major businesses are already encouraging the people to use and build their English language skills. Our education system uses English as the main medium of communication. We are already prioritizing English more than another Language, to the extent that our own language is deteriorating.(This is partly due to the influence of pop culture and the domestic media promoting Taglish usage.)

Therefore I believe most Filipinos can understand and communicate in English. However to gain English language fluency…. Maybe we should listen to, and watch more English language Programming. (I think it is as simple as that).

Consul: Why do you wanna go to the US?
Amo: To travel to visit friends and fly the airplane.
Consul: Denied!

Consul: And you?
Inday: For life is a never-ending pursuit of material and social satisfaction that I tender my great intent of actualizing a transpacific journey to the land of milk and honey. An affable sanctuary where dreams become reality and a perfect habitat where souls like mine can reach the pedestal of freedom.
Consul: Lifetime multiple entry VISA granted!

I think during 1950s and 1960s plenty of people where able to speak spanish and English fuently. It was also during this time that we were considered one of the most prosperous nation in Asia.(I think)

^^why is it hard for you to understand that Spanish will not become mandatory in all philippine schools?? It will only be optional in selected schools. Naging generous lang naman ang Spain sa pagtulong sa Pilipinas na i reintroduce ang Spanish para matulungang matuto yung mga gustong mag aral nito. What's wrong with that?? Now if China, Japan etc would also become willing to offer assistance in offering language courses in the future, eh di mas maganda! the more languages we know, the better we will become...